I’d like to thank Julie Simpson for being so conscientious in pursuing the toxic problem of Roundup. My personal campaign against this lethal “herbicide” began in February, 1996. On an early morning walk with my dog, I saw a worker on a neighbor’s property dousing the hill with something. He worked for quite some time, finishing as we were walking back down. A few hours later, it began to rain and continued all day. Although it was still raining the next day, my dog and I went on our morning walk. I noticed run-off coming down the hill from the neighbor’s property and puddles all along the street. My dog and I couldn’t help step in some. When we returned home, my dog lay down.
Several days later, I felt “out-of-sorts” and noticed that my dog seemed lethargic. The symptoms persisted and even the cats began to act differently and weren’t eating normally. I went to my doctor who said I had some toxins in my body and prescribed some supplements and herbs. I then took my dog to the vet who tested for toxins and poison. I did my own investigation and went up the hill where the worker left the can he was using to spray. It was Roundup.
I was fortunate to have brought my dog to the vet since glyphosate was one of the things found in the tests. She was treated for several months. I then started to study this product and discovered that Roundup, manufactured by Monsanto, and related herbicides with glyphosate as an active ingredient, are advertised as products that can “eradicate weeds and unwanted grasses effectively with a high level of environmental safety.” However, an independent, accurate evaluation of health and environmental hazards drew conclusions very different from those presented in the ads. Witnessing my neighbor’s use of Roundup and the run-off from his property causing toxic reactions is enough proof for me that without a doubt Roundup is lethal.
I mainly spread my own personal experience to the landowners and homeowners associations and other neighbors, friends and acquaintances. I am so grateful that Ms. Simpson was so diligent! Now let’s hope something will be done about abating the use of this product.
Alice Chandra